Modular school computer system and method

ABSTRACT

A local wireless device serves as a unique identifier for students and teachers in a school system. The school is equipped with multiple stationary hubs for tracking the location of students and teachers. The school may also be equipped with multiple mobile hubs, such as hand-held hubs and hubs on school buses, which allow easily and quickly determining if a student or teacher is where he or she should be. The local wireless device may be used in conjunction with a pager, mobile phone, a voicemail device, and devices for storing, reviewing and sending audio and video files. The preferred embodiments also includes a single device that provides all of the above-mentioned functions. In addition, a wireless display may be coupled to the local wireless device as needed. The function of these devices may be controlled according to the needs of the system. For example, some of the functions may be disabled during class periods, but enabled between classes. The preferred embodiments thus disclose many different wireless devices that are all integrated into the school&#39;s computer system to customize their function according to the needs of the school.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to computer systems, and morespecifically relates to computer systems and associated wireless devicesfor use at schools and other educational facilities.

[0003] 2. Background Art

[0004] One serious problem that faces school administrators is the taskof keeping track of hundreds or thousands of students each day. Even inour current computer age, attendance records are typically kept manuallyon paper. The teacher must generally take the time to see who is presentand who is absent, and record the attendance on a paper form. If astudent comes to school late or leaves early, the student must check inor check out at the principal's office. Sometimes students are involvedin special programs, such as gifted programs and field trips, that causethe student to miss regular class activities. Keeping track of who is atschool and where they are is a formidable task. The importance ofknowing who is at school and where they are is especially important inthe case of an emergency, such as a fire or bomb threat in the school.Without a way to accurately track who is present and absent at school,present day school systems will continue to use archaic methods fortracking attendance and inefficient ways to determine whether allstudents and teachers are evacuated in the case of an emergency.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0005] According to the preferred embodiments, a local wireless deviceserves as a unique identifier for students and teachers in a schoolsystem. The school is equipped with multiple stationary hubs fortracking the location of students and teachers. The school may also beequipped with multiple mobile hubs, such as hand-held hubs and hubs onschool buses, which allow easily and quickly determining if a student orteacher is where he or she should be. The local wireless device may beused in conjunction with a pager, mobile phone, a voicemail device, anddevices for storing, reviewing and sending audio and video files. Thepreferred embodiments also include a single device that provides all ofthe above-mentioned functions. In addition, a wireless display may becoupled to the local wireless device as needed. The function of thesedevices may be controlled according to the needs of the system. Forexample, some of the functions may be disabled during class periods, butenabled between classes. The preferred embodiments thus disclose manydifferent wireless devices that are all integrated into the school'scomputer system to customize their function according to the needs ofthe school.

[0006] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the inventionwill be apparent from the following more particular description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The preferred embodiments of the present invention willhereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,where like designations denote like elements, and:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system in accordance withthe preferred embodiments;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a modular school computer system inaccordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the RFID module in accordance withthe preferred embodiments shown in FIG. 2;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of one particular implementation of amobile Bluetooth hub that uses RFID modules to determine who gets on abus, to layout the route according to who is on the bus, and todetermine that the right people get off the bus at the right stops;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for a bus driver to monitorwho gets on and off the bus using the mobile Bluetooth hub and RFIDmodules in FIG. 4 in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of one particular implementation of astationary Bluetooth hub in a classroom that uses RFID modules toautomatically take attendance;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for automatically taking andreporting attendance using the stationary Bluetooth hub and RFID modulesshown in FIG. 6;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one particular implementation of amobile hand-held Bluetooth hub that uses RFID modules to automaticallydetermine who is present and to compare who is present to the attendancerecords to list the persons that were reported attending school that arenot present;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method for determining whether anystudents and teachers are missing, such as during an emergency, usingthe mobile hand-held Bluetooth hub and RFID modules shown in FIG. 8;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method for automaticallytransferring information between students and a teacher;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a block diagram of one implementation of the pagermodule shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0019]FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for dispatching a text message to the pager ofFIG. 11;

[0020]FIG. 13 is a block diagram of one implementation of the telephonemodule shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0021]FIG. 14 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for responding to a telephone call for thetelephone module of FIG. 13;

[0022]FIG. 15 is a block diagram of one implementation of the voicemailmodule shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0023]FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for sending a voicemail message to the voicemailmodule of FIG. 15;

[0024]FIG. 17 is a block diagram of one implementation of the audiomodule shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0025]FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for downloading an audio file to the audio moduleof FIG. 17;

[0026]FIG. 19 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for uploading an audio file stored in the audiomodule of FIG. 17 to the school computer system;

[0027]FIG. 20 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for a teacher to retrieve an audio file that hasbeen uploaded from a student's audio module of FIG. 17;

[0028]FIG. 21 is a block diagram of one implementation of the videomodule shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with the preferred embodiments;

[0029]FIG. 22 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with thepreferred embodiments for downloading a video file to the video moduleof FIG. 21;

[0030]FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing how an RFID module could besnapped into any module to provide the local wireless interface andunique identifier for all of these other modules in accordance with thepreferred embodiments; and

[0031]FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a student module in accordance withthe preferred embodiments that includes the functions of all theindividual modules shown in FIG. 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0032] Overview

[0033] The preferred embodiments relate to wireless communications toelectronic devices using a local wireless interface, such as Bluetooth.To understand the context of the invention, a general discussion of theBluetooth standard for wireless communication is provided below.

Bluetooth

[0034] Bluetooth wireless technology is a worldwide specification for asmall-form factor, low-cost radio solution that provides links betweenmobile computers, mobile phones, other portable handheld devices, andconnectivity to the Internet. The specification is developed, publishedand promoted by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). TheBluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) is a trade association comprisedof leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries,and is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market.The Bluetooth SIG promoters include IBM, 3Com, Agere, Ericsson, Intel,Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba, and hundreds of associate andadopter member companies.

[0035] Bluetooth wireless technology is unique in its breadth ofapplications. Links can be established between groups of productssimultaneously or between individual products and the Internet. Whilepoint-to-point connections are supported, the specification allows up toseven simultaneous connections to be established and maintained by asingle radio. This flexibility, combined with strict interoperabilityrequirements, has led to support for Bluetooth wireless technology froma wide range of market segments, including software developers, siliconvendors, peripheral and camera manufacturers, mobile PC manufacturersand handheld device developers, consumer electronics manufacturers, carmanufacturers, and test and measurement equipment manufacturers.

[0036] Hardware that complies with the Bluetooth wireless specificationensures communication compatibility worldwide. Bluetooth is generallydesigned to operate in a maximum range of one to one hundred meters,depending on the class of the device. Class 1 devices have a range up to100 meters. Class 2 devices have a range up to ten meters. Class 3devices have a range up to 1 meter. As a low-cost, low-power solutionwith industry-wide support, Bluetooth wireless technology allowseffortlessly interconnecting with compatible devices all over the world.

[0037] Devices enabled with Bluetooth wireless technology will be ableto: free electronic accessories and peripherals from wired connections;exchange files, business cards, and calendar appointments; transfer andsynchronize data wirelessly; take advantage of localized contentservices in public areas; and function as remote controls, keys, ticketsand e-cash wallets.

[0038] Many manufacturers of electronic devices are planning tointegrate Bluetooth into their devices so their devices canautomatically connect to other devices that have a Bluetooth interfacewithin a short range. One goal of Bluetooth is to interconnect manyelectronic devices without using hard-wire cables. For example, acomputer network that includes four computer systems, four monitors, aprinter, and a scanner could theoretically be all interconnected viaBluetooth without using any cables to interconnect these items.

[0039] Bluetooth includes the capability of identifying each type ofdevice as it establishes a link to other devices. Thus, a printer thathas a Bluetooth interface will identify itself as a printer, which makesthe print function available to other devices that are linked viaBluetooth to the printer. A mobile phone that includes a Bluetoothinterface could automatically detect when it comes in range of a printerthat has a Bluetooth interface, and in response to detecting the printerthe mobile phone could provide an option to print e-mail or other textinformation received by the mobile phone, which would send the e-mail orother information to the printer. Details regarding Bluetooth and it'sdetailed specification may be found at www.bluetooth.com.

[0040] Unlike many other wireless standards, the Bluetooth wirelessspecification includes both link layer and application layer definitionsfor product developers. Radios that comply with the Bluetooth wirelessspecification operate in the unlicensed, 2.4 GHz radio spectrum ensuringcommunication compatibility worldwide. These radios use a spreadspectrum, frequency hopping, full-duplex signal at up to 1600 hops/sec.The signal hops among 79 frequencies at 1 MHz intervals to give a highdegree of interference immunity.

[0041] The 2.4 GHz band used by Bluetooth is unlicensed, and can be usedby many other types of devices such as cordless phones, microwave ovens,and baby monitors. Any device designed for use in an unlicensed bandshould be designed for robustness in the presence of interference, andthe Bluetooth wireless technology has many features that provide suchrobustness.

[0042] Products that incorporate a Bluetooth interface are already onthe market. Nokia Corp. is selling its Bluetooth 6310 phones in Europe,and are expected to be available in the United States sometime in 2002.Broadcom Corp. and handheld PC maker Palm Inc. plan to co-develop a newBluetooth handheld PC design.

Other Wireless Standards

[0043] There are other wireless standards that exist besides Bluetooth.For example, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b) is designed to provide wirelessEthernet connectivity that can extend or replace wired networks fordozens of computing devices. Wi-Fi is a trademark of WECA (the WirelessEthernet Compatibility Alliance). The Bluetooth wireless technology isexpected to be used widely as a cable replacement for devices such asPDAs, cell phones, cameras, speakers, headsets and so on. 802.11 willlikely still be used for higher speed wireless Ethernet access, so it iswidely expected that Bluetooth and 802.11 will co-exist. Preliminarytests by the Pennsylvania State University's Applied Research Laboratoryshow that Bluetooth and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) do not interfere with each othereven in close proximity. 802.11b's typical 284-foot range was unaffectedby the presence of Bluetooth devices, while Bluetooth's typical 64-footrange was unaffected by the presence of 802.11b devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The preferred embodiments provide a modular school computersystem and method that includes wireless hubs that communicate withelectronic devices carried or worn by students and teachers. Theelectronic devices within the scope of the preferred embodimentsdiscussed herein include an RFID module, a pager module, a wirelessphone module, a voicemail module, an audio module, and a video module.These modules may be mixed in any combination into a suitable electronicdevice according to the needs of the student and teacher. Allowingwireless devices to be integrated into the school's computer systemallows students and teachers great flexibility and power that has notbeen possible using prior art school computer systems and prior artportable devices.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 2, a school computer system 200 in accordancewith the preferred embodiments includes a network server 100 coupled vianetwork 202 to one or more stationary hubs (e.g., hubs 210, 212 and 218)and coupled via wireless interface 220 to one or more mobile hubs (e.g.,hubs 230, 232, and 238). Each Bluetooth hub (e.g., 210, 212, 218, 230,232, and 238) has the capability of sending information to and receivinginformation from several different modules 240-250. The collection ofhubs and the modules that communicate with the hubs are referred toherein as the “wireless network.”

[0046] RFID module 240 is a small, low-cost, lightweight module that canbe easily transported by the student, and can even be pinned to thestudent's clothing or backpack. RFID module 240 provides an identifierthat uniquely identifies the student to the school network server 100.

[0047] Pager module 242 is a wireless pager that may communicate textand numeric messages to the user. Telephone module 244 is a wirelesstelephone that communicates via the wireless network. Voicemail module246 is a module that allows storing and forwarding voicemail messagesvia the wireless network. Audio module 248 allows listening to audiodata and transferring audio files via the wireless network. Thedifference between the voicemail module 246 and the audio module 248 isthe quality of the sound. The voicemail module preferably has voicequality, for example 8 Khz mono sound. The audio module 248 preferablyincludes music quality, for example 128 kbps MP3 to 44 KHz stereo sound.Video module 250 allows watching video data and transferring video filesvia the wireless network. Each of the modules 240-250 in FIG. 2 arediscussed in more detail below.

[0048] Each of the wireless modules 240-250 may be selectively coupledto a wireless display 260. The wireless display 260 is especially usefulfor rendering information from the teacher to the student, and may beused as an electronic book, to present audio and video information tothe student, to view homework assignments, etc.

[0049] Note that network 202 as shown in FIG. 2 is preferably ahard-wired network, but could also be a wireless network as well. Inaddition, the computer system 200 in FIG. 2 is shown as a client/serverarchitecture, where a server 100 communicates with a number of differentclients (e.g., hubs). This configuration, however, is shown for thepurpose of illustration, and is not limiting of the scope of theinvention. The Bluetooth hubs could alternatively communicate on apeer-to-peer network, and the functions of the network server 100 couldbe distributed across the peer-to-peer network. The preferredembodiments expressly extend to any suitable configuration that allowsthe wireless hubs to communicate with each other, whether theconfiguration is known today or developed in the future.

[0050] One suitable implementation of the school network server 100 inaccordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention is shown inFIG. 1. Computer system 100 is an IBM iSeries computer system. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms andapparatus of the present invention apply equally to any computer system,regardless of whether the computer system is a complicated multi-usercomputing apparatus, a single user workstation, or an embedded controlsystem. As shown in FIG. 1, computer system 100 comprises a processor110, a main memory 120, a mass storage interface 130, a displayinterface 140, and a network interface 150. These system components areinterconnected through the use of a system bus 160. Mass storageinterface 130 is used to connect mass storage devices (such as a directaccess storage device 155) to computer system 100. One specific type ofdirect access storage device 155 is a readable and writable CD ROMdrive, which may store data to and read data from a CD ROM 195.

[0051] Main memory 120 in accordance with the preferred embodimentscontains data 121, an operating system 122, and a local wirelessinterface mechanism 123. Data 121 represents any data that serves asinput to or output from any program in computer system 100. Operatingsystem 122 is a multitasking operating system known in the industry asOS/400; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that thespirit and scope of the present invention is not limited to any oneoperating system. Local wireless interface mechanism 123 is a softwaremechanism that defines how to communicate with the various wirelessmodules 240-250 shown in FIG. 2. Local wireless interface 123 includesan RFID profile 124, a pager profile 125, a telephone profile 126, avoicemail profile 127, an audio profile 128, and a video profile 129.Each profile 124-129 is a specification of how data is transmitted toand received from the respective wireless modules. In the preferredembodiments, local wireless interface mechanism 123 is compatible withthe Bluetooth wireless communication protocol, and each profile 124-129is preferably a protocol defined and implemented within the Bluetoothprotocol. Note that several of these profiles do not currently exist inthe Bluetooth protocol. Extending the Bluetooth protocol to includethese additional profiles is one aspect of the preferred embodiments.

[0052] Computer system 100 utilizes well known virtual addressingmechanisms that allow the programs of computer system 100 to behave asif they only have access to a large, single storage entity instead ofaccess to multiple, smaller storage entities such as main memory 120 andDASD device 155. Therefore, while data 121, operating system 122, andlocal wireless interface mechanism 123 are shown to reside in mainmemory 120, those skilled in the art will recognize that these items arenot necessarily all completely contained in main memory 120 at the sametime. It should also be noted that the term “memory” is used herein togenerically refer to the entire virtual memory of computer system 100,and may include the virtual memory of other computer systems coupled tocomputer system 100.

[0053] Processor 110 may be constructed from one or more microprocessorsand/or integrated circuits. Processor 110 executes program instructionsstored in main memory 120. Main memory 120 stores programs and data thatprocessor 110 may access. When computer system 100 starts up, processor110 initially executes the program instructions that make up operatingsystem 122. Operating system 122 is a sophisticated program that managesthe resources of computer system 100. Some of these resources areprocessor 110, main memory 120, mass storage interface 130, displayinterface 140, network interface 150, and system bus 160.

[0054] Although computer system 100 is shown to contain only a singleprocessor and a single system bus, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the present invention may be practiced using a computersystem that has multiple processors and/or multiple buses. In addition,the interfaces that are used in the preferred embodiment each includeseparate, fully programmed microprocessors that are used to off-loadcompute-intensive processing from processor 110. However, those skilledin the art will appreciate that the present invention applies equally tocomputer systems that simply use I/O adapters to perform similarfunctions.

[0055] Display interface 140 is used to directly connect one or moredisplays 165 to computer system 100. These displays 165, which may benon-intelligent (i.e., dumb) terminals or fully programmableworkstations, are used to allow system administrators and users tocommunicate with computer system 100. Note, however, that while displayinterface 140 is provided to support communication with one or moredisplays 165, computer system 100 does not necessarily require a display165, because all needed interaction with users and other processes mayoccur via network interface 150. Network interface 150 is used toconnect other computer systems and/or workstations (e.g., 175 in FIG. 1)to computer system 100 across a network 170. The present inventionapplies equally no matter how computer system 100 may be connected toother computer systems and/or workstations, regardless of whether thenetwork connection 170 is made using present-day analog and/or digitaltechniques or via some networking mechanism of the future. In addition,many different network protocols can be used to implement a network.These protocols are specialized computer programs that allow computersto communicate across network 170. TCP/IP (Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol) is an example of a suitable networkprotocol. In the implementation shown in FIG. 2, the network interface150 of FIG. 1 is coupled to network 202 to allow communication betweenthe school network server 100 and the other devices coupled to thenetwork 202.

[0056] At this point, it is important to note that while the presentinvention has been and will continue to be described in the context of afully functional computer system, those skilled in the art willappreciate that the present invention is capable of being distributed asa program product in a variety of forms, and that the present inventionapplies equally regardless of the particular type of computer-readablesignal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution.Examples of suitable computer-readable signal bearing media include:recordable type media such as floppy disks and CD ROM (e.g., 195 of FIG.1), and transmission type media such as digital and analogcommunications links.

[0057] The remainder of this specification describes various ways thatthe wireless modules 240-250 in FIG. 2 may be used in several exemplaryimplementations in accordance with the preferred embodiments. FIG. 3shows a block diagram of one suitable implementation of an RFID module240 in accordance with the preferred embodiments. RFID module 240includes a local wireless interface, one suitable example of which isBluetooth interface 310 shown in FIG. 3. Bluetooth interface 310preferably includes a wireless transmitter 320 for sending data, awireless receiver 330 for receiving data, an identification mechanism340, and memory 350. ID mechanism 340 preferably includes a uniqueidentifier that identifies the person associated with the RFID module240 to the school's computer system. ID mechanism 340 may include anysuitable identification information, including a unique number assignedto the student or teacher, authentication and authorization information(such as a login name and password required to establish a link), etc.While the local wireless interface may include many different types ofinterfaces, the preferred implementation of the local wireless interface310 is a Bluetooth interface. Bluetooth includes mechanisms thatautomatically establish the link between devices, and that automaticallyidentify a device to another device once the link has been established.For this reason, Bluetooth is ideally suited to sending identificationinformation that is unique and assigned to the user for the purpose oftracking the user while at school. Bluetooth interface 310 also providesa memory 350 that may be used to store any suitable information,including information transmitted by the wireless transmitter 320 andinformation received by the wireless receiver 330.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 4, one suitable use of a mobile wirelesshub and the RFID modules shown in FIG. 2 allows a bus driver to monitorand document who gets on the bus, who gets off, and where. MobileBluetooth hub 410 is one suitable example of a wireless hub (e.g., 230,232 and 238 in FIG. 2) that communicates with multiple RFID modules(e.g., 240A, 240B, 240N). We assume that this wireless hub 410 is partof a mobile data terminal that includes a display that is viewed by thebus driver and includes one or more keys or buttons that the bus drivermay press to perform different functions. The mobile Bluetooth hub 410includes a Bluetooth interface 420, a location indicator mechanism 430,and authorized rider and stop information 440. The Bluetooth interface420 includes an RF transmitter 422, and an RF receiver 424. What makesthis Bluetooth interface 420 in accordance with the preferredembodiments different than known Bluetooth interfaces is the adjustablesensitivity mechanism 426 in the RF receiver that allows the receiversensitivity to be dynamically adjusted to change the range for detectingRFID modules 240.

[0059] We now look at method 500 of FIG. 5 to show one suitable methodin accordance with the preferred embodiments for tracking students on abus using the apparatus of FIG. 4. The system is first enabled whenriders (e.g., students) begin boarding the bus, at which time thereceiver sensitivity is set to a “low” setting (step 510). The systemmay be enabled, for example, by the bus driver pressing a button on themobile data terminal that includes the mobile Bluetooth hub 410. Settingthe receiver sensitivity in step 510 is preferably performed by settinga level on the adjustable sensitivity mechanism 426 in FIG. 4. With thereceiver sensitivity set to the “low” setting, an RFID module 240 mustcome within a short distance (e.g., 1 meter) for the Bluetooth interface420 to communicate with the module. This allows the mobile Bluetooth hub410 on the bus to detect the RFID modules of riders who are actuallygetting on the bus without detecting RFID modules of students waitingoutside the bus. The bus driver monitors the mobile data terminal as theriders board the bus (step 512). As each rider boards the bus, themobile Bluetooth hub 410 monitors the RFID modules of the riders. When arider's RFID module 240 comes within a short distance of the mobileBluetooth hub 410, the RFID module 240 establishes a connection with theBluetooth interface 422, and communicates a unique identifier stored inthe RFID module 240 to the Bluetooth interface 422. The Bluetoothinterface 422 checks the unique identifier to assure that the rider thatcorresponds to the RFID module is allowed to ride this particular bus.The authorized riders are stored in the authorized rider and stopinformation 440 (FIG. 4). If an unauthorized rider boards the bus, ordoes not have an authorizing RFID module 240 (step 520=YES), the driveris alerted to the unauthorized rider by the mobile data terminal (step522). The driver may then take corrective action, such as asking therider to get off the bus; entering the rider's information into themobile data terminal if the rider is new and needs to be added to thesystem; or entering the rider's information into the mobile dataterminal to indicate that this rider is riding the bus this time eventhough not normally authorized to ride this bus; etc. The boardingprocess continues until the bus is ready to depart (step 530=YES). Oncethe bus is ready to depart, or actually departs, the receiversensitivity is then set to bus-wide (step 532). This “bus-wide”sensitivity allows the mobile Bluetooth hub to verify that the recordsit generated as the riders boarded the bus match the riders actually onthe bus as it departs. The term “buswide” is intended herein to be abroad term that simple means that the sensitivity is changed from ashort distance when people board to a greater distance that allowsdetecting the RFID module of each rider on the bus. This sensitivitywill vary according to many factors, including the size of the bus, theelectromagnetic interference in the area, etc.

[0060] Once the receiver sensitivity is set to bus-wide in step 532, theBluetooth interface 420 logs the riders currently on the bus (step 534)by reading their identification information from their respective RFIDmodules 240. If the boarding record does not match the log for somereason, the driver may be alerted so he or she can resolve theinconsistency between the records. Once the riders on the bus have beenlogged in step 534, a route may be dynamically generated for the driverbased on the riders that are currently on the bus. This feature may notbe useful for buses that make the same stops regardless of who isriding, but comes in very handy in many circumstances, particularly forschool buses that take children home from school each day in ruralareas. Many rural areas of the United States have school bus servicethat picks up the students at their homes and drops them off at theirhomes. Currently, bus drivers on these rural routes must visuallydetermine who is riding the bus to determine which stops to make. Thisrequires considerable effort by the bus driver, particularly on arelatively full bus. The preferred embodiments relieve the driver fromany effort to determine where to stop by automating the route and stopgeneration according to the riders actually on the bus. Note that notonly can the stops be dynamically determined, the actual route the bustakes can be dynamically generated to eliminate unnecessary miles goingby stops where nobody will get off. Generating dynamic routing and stopinformation for a bus driver according to the riders on the bus is asignificant advantage of the preferred embodiments.

[0061] When the bus stops to let riders off, the mobile Bluetooth hub410 monitors who gets off the bus (step 538), preferably by logging whenthe RFID modules 240 of the rider(s) that got off the bus get out ofrange of the mobile Bluetooth interface 420. Note that locationindicator mechanism 430 is used to record each stop when the riders getoff the bus. Location indicator mechanism 430 could be the bus driverpressing a key or button on the mobile data terminal to indicate aparticular stop, or could be automatically provided by a globalpositioning system (GPS) tracking device that detects the precisegeographical coordinates of each stop when riders get off. The busdriver monitors the mobile data terminal as the riders get off the bus(step 540). If the correct riders do not get off the bus (step 550=NO),the driver is alerted to the error. This can occur by either a personstaying on the bus that is expected to get off, or a person getting offthe bus that is not normally allowed to get off at that stop, asdetermined by the authorized rider and stop information 440, whichcorrelates each rider to his or her normal stop. If a rider did not getoff the bus when he or she was supposed to, the bus driver can determinewhether the rider is asleep, distracted, or intends to get off at adifferent stop. If a rider gets off the bus that was not expected to getoff, the bus driver may ask the rider why he or she is getting off atthat stop, and may enter appropriate information into the mobile dataterminal to indicate the reason for the rider getting off at that stop.In the alternative, the mobile Bluetooth hub 410 may simply log theevent to document where each rider gets off the bus.

[0062] The process of monitoring riders as they get off the bus atdifferent stops continues until all riders are off the bus (step560=YES). At this point, method 500 is done. One of the significantadvantages of the system 400 in FIG. 4 and its associated method 500 inFIG. 5 is that the bus keeps a complete log of every rider that boardsthe bus and where, and every rider that gets off and where. Thisinformation could be invaluable in tracking runaways, in informingparents of whether their child boarded the bus and where their child gotoff, and in avoiding legal liability by documenting all riders as theyboard and get off the bus.

[0063] Note that many variations of the bus/rider scenario presentedabove in FIGS. 4 and 5 are possible within the scope of the preferredembodiments. For example, in a city bus system, the identificationinformation in the RDIF module could be used to bill the rider at theend of the month, or to verify that the rider has pre-paid for his orher monthly pass. The RFID module 240 could also be programmed with a“preferred stop” that is communicated to the mobile Bluetooth hub so thebus driver is directed to stop at the preferred stop of each riderwithout the riders having to pull a cable or press a button to request astop. Of course, may other variations of the bus/rider scenario arepossible that are within the scope of the preferred embodiments.

[0064] Another useful scenario for using the wireless system of FIG. 2is in a classroom setting to automatically log attendance. Todayattendance is typically a manual task that is performed by a teacher oran assistant. The preferred embodiments allow for automatically takingattendance, and sending the attendance information to the school networkserver 100. Referring to FIG. 6, a stationary Bluetooth hub 610 isassumed to be in a classroom or in close enough proximity to a classroomthat all RFID modules in the classroom will be detected and cancommunicate with the stationary Bluetooth hub 610. Stationary Bluetoothhub 610 includes a Bluetooth interface 620 that includes an RFtransmitter 622 and an RF receiver 624. Stationary Bluetooth hub 610also suitably includes an automatic attendance mechanism 630. Note thatthe automatic attendance mechanism 630 could also or alternativelyreside on the school network server 100. The stationary Bluetooth hub610 monitors the RFID modules 240 in the classroom to generate automaticattendance records.

[0065] A method 700 in accordance with the preferred embodiments is oneexemplary method that illustrates the function of the automaticattendance mechanism 630. Method 700 begins when a bell rings to begin aclass session (step 710). When the bell rings, which typically happensat a predetermined time of day, the stationary Bluetooth hub 610 recordsall students that it currently detects in the classroom (from theirrespective RFID modules 240) (step 720), and reports the attendance tothe server (step 730). At this point, if a student enters class late(step 740=YES), the Bluetooth interface detects the new RFID module 240of the student that entered late, and updates the attendance report toreplace the “absent” for the late student with a “tardy” (step 742). Insimilar fashion, if a student leaves class early (step 750=YES)), thestationary Bluetooth hub 610 detects when the student leaves, andupdates the attendance report to show that the student left class early(step 752). Note that the threshold for determining when a student isgiven a “tardy” or “absent” is programmable, and may vary according tothe needs of the teacher or the school administrators. It is likely, forexample, that a student should not be given a “tardy” if he or sheenters class when only five minutes remain in the class session, butshould remain “absent” on the records. The automatic attendancemechanism 630 preferably includes programmable intelligence regardingwhen and how to take the attendance report and when and how tocommunicate the attendance report to the server. Note also that theautomatic attendance mechanism 630 could be separate from a trackingmechanism that tracks the current location of all students and teachers.Thus, a student that comes to class with only five minutes remaining maybe recorded “absent” in the attendance records, yet a tracking mechanismcould still know that the student is in the classroom.

[0066] Yet another useful scenario for using the wireless system of FIG.2 is to track the location of all students and teachers so thatappropriate action can be taken in the event of an emergency. Such asystem is shown as system 800 in FIG. 8. System 800 in FIG. 8 includes amobile Bluetooth hub 810 that is preferably hand-held. Mobile Bluetoothhub 810 includes a Bluetooth interface 820 with an RF transmitter 822and an RF receiver 824, and also includes a missing person reporter 830.Mobile Bluetooth hub 810 may be used in conjunction with RFID modules240 to determine the location of students and teachers in case of anemergency.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 9, a method 900 in accordance with thepreferred embodiments is one exemplary method that illustrates of thefunction of the missing person reporter 830 of FIG. 8. Method 900 beginswhen a person activates the handheld hub (step 910). In one possiblescenario, such as during an evacuation due to some real event or as adrill to practice evacuation procedures, each teacher takes his or herstudents to a pre-assigned location outside the school building. Eachteacher could have a handheld hub to track the students in his or herclass, or in the alternative another teacher or administrator could walkaround with a hand-held unit recording who has evacuated the premises.Once the handheld hub is activated, the RFID modules of all personspresent are recorded (step 920). The attendance records are thenretrieved from the server (step 930). If all persons attending schoolthat day, which preferably includes both students and teachers, arepresent and accounted for in the pre-assigned area (step 940=YES),method 900 is done, and the person can deactivate the handheld hub (step980). If, however, one or more persons that are listed as in attendanceare not present (step 940=NO), a list of missing persons is generated(step 950). All hubs in the school, both stationary and mobile, can thenbe queried to see if any of the missing persons are in proximity to anyof the hubs. If any missing person is located near any hub, the locationof the missing person(s) that were just located is displayed (step 960).This allows quickly locating persons that may be trapped or unconscious.Finally, if there remain missing persons that are not within range ofany hub, the handheld Bluetooth hub lists the last known location of themissing persons (step 970). This allows locating people based on theirlast known location even if a hub has been destroyed, or if theirindividual RFID module is damaged. System 800 and method 900 provide anautomated way to very quickly account for all students and teachers inthe event of an emergency. Note that step 930 could retrieve anyinformation regarding who was present in the school, whether theinformation comes from attendance records or a tracking system thatkeeps more accurate data that the attendance records. (In an examplegiven above, a student that enters class with only five minutesremaining in the class period may still be marked absent in theattendance records, but would be recorded as present in the classroom bythe tracking system for the purposes of determining whether or not allpersons in the school have been evacuated.) Of course, many variationsin the steps to method 900 are possible within the scope of thepreferred embodiments, including the omission of some of these steps.

[0068] Referring now to FIG. 10, a method 1000 illustrates a way forstudents and teachers to automatically exchange electronic informationin a classroom setting, such as the system 600 shown in FIG. 6 with astationary Bluetooth hub 610 and RFID modules 240 for each student. Weassume that method 1000 begins when the class period begins. During theclass period, student communications stored in the RFID modules aretransferred to a location accessible by the teacher (step 1020), such asthe school network server 100 or a handheld module. Also during theclass period, teacher communications in electronic form areautomatically transferred to the RFID modules for the students (step1030). Method 1000 ends when the class period ends. Note that method1000 provides for an extremely powerful and efficient way for studentsand teachers to communicate. Teacher communications may include, forexample, homework assignments and announcements to the whole class,which are transferred to each student's RFID module 240, as well asindividual messages from the teacher that are only transferred to theRFID module for the intended recipient. Such messages may be encoded orotherwise protected so that only an authorized person, such as thestudent's parent, may retrieve the message. This allows the teacher tosend confidential messages home to a parent on the student's RFID modulewithout the student being able to retrieve the message. In addition, allschool announcements may be included on the RFID module, allowing thestudents and parents to have access to all announcements electronically.No more will a parent be kept in the dark because his or her child losta paper flyer that had the school announcements written on it.

[0069] Student communications may include, for example, completedhomework assignments, take-home tests, individual messages from thestudent to the teacher, messages from a parent to the teacher, or anyother communication from the student's RFID module to a locationaccessible by the teacher. In the preferred embodiments, the informationstored in the RFID module must be marked as being ready for submissionin order to be automatically transferred to the teacher. This allowsdrafts of messages to be stored in the RFID module but not sent untilthey are finalized and marked for submission.

[0070] In the preferred embodiments, step 1020 in method 1000 isperformed at a first predetermined time, and step 1030 is performed at asecond predetermined time. For example, step 1020 may be performedautomatically when the bell rings to start class, or at a set time suchas five minutes after the bell rings. In the alternative, step 1020 maybe performed by the teacher initiating the transfer at a time of his orher choosing using a computer workstation or handheld unit. In similarfashion, step 1030 may be performed automatically when the bell rings toend class, or at a set time such as five minutes before the bell rings.In the alternative, step 1030 may be performed by the teacher initiatingthe transfer at a time of his or her choosing.

[0071] Note that the prior art discloses the use of RFID tags. Onespecific type of tag is used in herding cattle. An RFID tag placed in ananimal's ear may contain a transmitter that is activated when itreceives sufficient RF energy. When the transmitter is active, ittransmits a unique identifier that identifies the animal. Let's assumethat such a system is in use in a stockyard that sells cattle. Largecorrals are connected to chutes that require the cows to move in singlefile. A series of movable gates or stops could be used to stop themovement of the cows so each cow is stopped on a scale and weighed. TheID of the cow is read from its ear tag, and the weight of the cow isautomatically stored for the cow according to its ID. In such a system,the RFID tag in the cow's ear simply transmits an identifier whenactivated by sufficient RF energy. No power supply is present, noreceiver is present, and no memory is present that allows storinginformation in addition to the identifier. Two-way communication withsuch an RFID tag is impossible. For this reason, the RFID module 240 ofthe preferred embodiments is a significant improvement over the knownRFID tags described above. The prior art does not disclose usingBluetooth as an RFID module. For this reason, the preferred embodimentsdefine an RFID profile 124 (see FIG. 1) that defines how to exchangedata with the Bluetooth interface in an RFID module.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 11, a pager module 242 is one specificimplementation of pager module 242 shown in FIG. 2 within the scope ofthe preferred embodiments. Pager module 242 includes a Bluetoothinterface 1110, a processor 1120, a memory 1130, a display 1140, keysand/or buttons 1150, and a user alert mechanism 1160. Bluetoothinterface 1110 preferably includes a transmitter, receiver,identification mechanism, and memory as shown in FIG. 3. Processor 1120is any suitable processor or combination of processors capable ofexecuting software to control its operation, including one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, or embedded processors. Memory 1130suitably stores one or more text message 1132 that may be read by thestudent or composed by the student. The term “text message” as usedherein expressly includes numeric messages. Note that text message 1132could be a text message composed by the student to be sent to someoneelse, or may be a text message that was received and is intended for thestudent.

[0073] Display 1140 is used to display a stored text message 1132 to theuser, and to display a text message as it is composed by a user.Key/buttons 1150 allow a user to retrieve a stored text message 1132from memory 1120, to scroll through multiple stored text messages, or toeven compose a text message to be sent to someone else. User alertmechanism 1160 comprises any suitable way to notify the user that a textmessage has been received and needs to be read by the user, including anaudible tone or series of tones, a blinking light, and a vibrator.

[0074] One of the significant features of pager module 242 is theability to use a Bluetooth interface as a pager. Most pagers areactivated by signals from towers that are typically several miles awayfrom the pager. Pager module 242, in contrast, receives and sends dataonly via its Bluetooth interface 1110, which requires that the pager bewithin range of a Bluetooth hub to be useful. Reducing the distance fromseveral miles to less than 100 meters means that the pager module 242can be much smaller, lighter, and use less battery power than knownpagers. Note that a Bluetooth hub could be coupled to a wide area pagerservice, to the Internet, or to other wide area networks that couldallow the pager module 242 to communicate with a wide variety ofdifferent types of pagers and electronic devices, so long as the pageris in range of a Bluetooth hub. The prior art does not disclose usingBluetooth as a pager. For this reason, the preferred embodiments definea pager profile 125 (see FIG. 1) that defines how to use the Bluetoothinterface as a pager.

[0075] A method for using the pager module 242 of FIG. 11 is shown asmethod 1200 in FIG. 12. Method 1200 begins when a text message 1132 isreceived by the system that is addressed to the recipient (step 1210).If the recipient's pager is present in the system (step 1220=YES), thetext message is sent to the recipient's pager (step 1230). If therecipient's pager is not present in the system (step 1220=NO), the textmessage is saved for the recipient (step 1240). Note that therecipient's pager may note be present in the system because it is out ofrange of any Bluetooth hub in the system, or it may be turned off. Oncethe pager module 242 is on and within range of a Bluetooth hub in thesystem, the text message stored in step 1240 will be transmitted to thepager module 242. Note that a similar method for transferring a textmessage composed by the user and stored in the pager module 242 to thesystem for delivery to another recipient is also within the scope of thepreferred embodiments.

[0076] A telephone module 244 is shown in FIG. 13 as one suitableimplementation of the telephone module 244 of FIG. 2 in accordance withthe preferred embodiments. Telephone module 244 includes a Bluetoothinterface 1310, a processor 1320, a memory 1330, a display 1340, keysand/or buttons 1350, a microphone 1360, and a speaker 1370. Bluetoothinterface 1310 preferably includes a transmitter, receiver,identification mechanism, and memory as shown in FIG. 3. Processor 1320is any suitable processor or combination of processors capable ofexecuting software to control its operation, including one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, or embedded processors. Memory 1330may store any useful information for telephone module 244, including acall log, a phone number directory, etc.

[0077] Display 1340 is used to display information to the user regardingthe time of day, the time duration of a call, caller ID to show who iscalling when the phone rings, stored phone numbers, etc. Key/buttons1350 allow user input to control the function of the telephone module244, such as storing telephone numbers in a phone directory. Onesuitable implementation for microphone 1360 is the microphone in themouthpiece of the telephone module that picks up the voice of the userfor transmission to the party on the other end of the call. One suitableimplementation for speaker 1370 is the speaker in the earpiece of thetelephone module that transmits the audio voice information to theuser's ear. Note that speaker 1370 could also be used to sound one ormore tones when the phone rings. In the alternative, the telephonemodule 244 could include a separate device to alert the user of a call,including audio tones, a blinking light, or a vibrator.

[0078] One of the significant features of telephone module 244 is theability to use a Bluetooth interface as the primary transmitter andreceiver for a wireless telephone. The concept of a Bluetooth-enabledtelephone is not new in the art, as stated by the examples ofBluetooth-enabled telephones in the Background section. However, aBluetooth-enabled phone known in the art includes a transmitter/receiverfor communication with a tower that is part of the wireless phonenetwork. Enabling a phone with Bluetooth in the prior art means addingthe capability for a phone to communicate with peripherals viaBluetooth. For example, a Bluetooth-enabled phone may detect when aBluetooth-enabled printer is present, and will then allow the user toprint information stored in the phone (such as an e-mail or a phonelist) to the printer without physically connecting the phone to theprinter. However, there are no known telephones that use a Bluetoothinterface to carry the telephone conversation. Most known wirelessphones are activated by signals from towers that are typically manymiles away from the wireless phone. Telephone module 244, in contrast,receives and sends voice information for the call via its Bluetoothinterface 1310, which requires that the telephone module 244 be withinrange of a Bluetooth hub to be useful. Note that a Bluetooth hub couldbe coupled to the Internet, which would allow a user to use thetelephone module to communicate with other parties using voice overinternet protocol (VOIP). A Bluetooth hub could also be coupled to atraditional wireless phone network that transmits via towers or a wiredtelephone network, allowing the telephone module 244 to be used tocommunicate with virtually any other phone so long as the telephonemodule 244 is within range of a Bluetooth hub. Because there iscurrently no defined profile in Bluetooth for transmitting and receivinga telephone conversation, the preferred embodiments define a telephoneprofile 126 (see FIG. 1) that defines how to use the Bluetooth interfaceas a transmitter and receiver for telephone module 244.

[0079] A method for using the telephone module 244 of FIG. 13 is shownas method 1400 in FIG. 14. Method 1400 begins when a telephone calldestined for the recipient is received (step 1410). If the recipient'stelephone module is present in the system (step 1420=YES), the telephonecall is routed via Bluetooth to the recipient's telephone module (step1430). If the recipient's telephone module is not present in the system(step 1420=NO), a voicemail greeting is played, and a voice message isrecorded for the user (step 1440). Note that the recipient's telephonemodule may not be present in the system because it is out of range ofany Bluetooth hub in the system, or it may be turned off. Once thetelephone module 244 is on and within range of a Bluetooth hub in thesystem, the voicemail message stored in step 1440 may be played at therequest of the user.

[0080] A voicemail module 246 is shown in FIG. 15 as one suitableimplementation of the voicemail module 246 of FIG. 2 in accordance withthe preferred embodiments. Voicemail module 246 includes a Bluetoothinterface 1510, a processor 1520, a memory 1530 that may contain one ormore voicemail messages 1532, a display 1540, keys and/or buttons 1550,a microphone 1560, a speaker 1570, and a user alert mechanism 1580.Bluetooth interface 1510 preferably includes a transmitter, receiver,identification mechanism, and memory as shown in FIG. 3. Note thatBluetooth interface 1510 includes two different transmitters that may beused to transmit voicemail messages. The first is a voice interface,which allows sending and receiving digitized audio data directly. Thevoice interface in Bluetooth can be used to directly send voicemailmessages. The second interface in Bluetooth that can be used to sendvoicemail messages is a data interface, which requires data to be sentand received in packets with complicated protocol headers. These packetscould contain voice information, similar to voice over internet protocol(VoIP) that is known in the art.

[0081] One example of using the voicemail module 246 allows parents tocommunicate voicemail messages in Bluetooth-compatible data packets fortheir students. A parent could use their personal computer at work torecord a voicemail message in Bluetooth-compatible data packets. Thedata packets could be sent to the voicemail module 246 via the datachannel, and the voicemail module 246 would then convert the datapackets to an audio message that the student could listen to. In thealternative, the data packets could be sent to the Bluetooth hub, whichcould convert the data packets to the audio voicemail message, and sendthe audio voicemail message to the voicemail module 246 via the voicechannel.

[0082] In another example, a parent calls the school using a normalphone and leaves a message for his or her child. One or more Bluetoothhubs could be connected to a telephone PBX that would allow a Bluetoothhub to retrieve the stored audio voicemail message, and to send theaudio voicemail message to the child's voicemail module 246 via thevoice interface.

[0083] Processor 1520 is any suitable processor or combination ofprocessors capable of executing software to control its operation,including one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, or embeddedprocessors. Memory 1530 may store any useful information for voicemailmodule 246, including one or more voicemail messages 1532.

[0084] Display 1540 is used to display information to the user regardingthe available functions of the voicemail module 246 and any storedvoicemail messages. Key/buttons 1550 allow user input to control thefunction of the voicemail module 246, such as storing a voicemailmessage for another user or retrieving stored voicemail messages frommemory. One suitable implementation for microphone 1560 is an internalmicrophone that allows the user to record voicemail messages for otherusers. One suitable implementation for speaker 1570 is an internalspeaker that plays an audio voicemail message to the user. Speaker 1570may also include a jack for an earphone or headphones. User alertmechanism 1580 provides an indication to the user that a voicemailmessage has arrived, including audio tones, a blinking light, or avibrator. In the alternative, the voicemail module 246 could alert theuser using speaker 1570.

[0085] One of the significant features of voicemail module 246 is theability to use a Bluetooth interface to transmit and store voicemailmessages. Nowhere does the prior art teach the ability to send andreceive voicemail messages via a Bluetooth interface. Most knownwireless phones include the capability of listening to a voicemailmessage left for the user when a caller was unable to reach the user.The voicemail message is typically stored on a computer system in thewireless phone network, and retrieving the voicemail message meanshaving the system play the audio to the wireless phone. Voicemail module246, in contrast, provides the capability of composing a voicemailwithout calling anybody, and for sending the voicemail to the intendedrecipient via a Bluetooth hub that is coupled to some mechanism thatknows how to transmit the stored voicemail to the recipient. In thespecific school computing system 200 shown in FIG. 2, if both sender andrecipient have RFID modules that are part of the school's system 200,the voicemail module 246 allows sending and receiving voicemails betweenstudents and teachers via Bluetooth. The prior art does not discloseusing a Bluetooth interface to transmit and receive voicemail messages.For this reason, the preferred embodiments define a voicemail profile127 (see FIG. 1) that defines how to use the Bluetooth interface as atransmitter and receiver for voicemail module 246.

[0086] A method for using the voicemail module 246 of FIG. 15 is shownas method 1600 in FIG. 16. Method 1600 begins when a voicemail messageis received by the system (step 1610). If the recipient's voicemailmodule is present in the system (step 1620=YES), the voicemail messageis routed via Bluetooth to the recipient's voicemail module (step 1630).If the recipient's voicemail module is not present in the system (step1620=NO), the voicemail is saved for the recipient (step 1640). Notethat the recipient's voicemail module may not be present in the systembecause it is out of range of any Bluetooth hub in the system, or it maybe turned off. Once the voicemail module 246 is on and within range of aBluetooth hub in the system, the voicemail message stored in step 1640will be played at the request of the user. Note that a similar methodfor transferring a voicemail message composed by the user and stored inthe voicemail module 246 to the system for delivery to another recipientis also within the scope of the preferred embodiments. Note that thefunctions of voicemail module 246 may be integrated within the telephonemodule 244 to provide both telephone and voicemail capability in awireless telephone. Note that this combined device would include thecapability to record a voicemail message at the press of the button onthe wireless telephone, a feature that does not exist in the art today.

[0087] Voicemail module 246 provides significant advantages overvoicemail systems known in the art. While short text messages arebecoming increasingly popular with pagers and cell phones, text messageslack the emotion of a voicemail message. Instead of storing voicemailmessages on central servers that allow a user to call in and listen tothe messages, a voicemail message in digital form can actually betransmitted to the voicemail module 246 to be played to the user.Because the voicemail messages are in digital form, they may be easilystored in the voicemail module 246 for future reference, and may betransferred to another device, such as a personal computer, forarchiving. Voicemail messages are still voice communications, but arenot real-time, and thus allow off-line compression to reduce the size ofthe transmission. We know from sad experience on Sep. 11, 2001 in NewYork City that the cell phone networks were jammed with traffic.Connections were sometimes impossible and sometimes unreliable. Thevoicemail capability provided by voicemail module 246 would haveresulted in less data due to off-line compression, and voicemailmessages would have been reliable because the voicemail messages wouldhave simply been queued up for later delivery. Had the victims of theattacks on the World Trade Center on Sep. 11, 2001 had voicemailmodules, they would have been able to leave voice messages for theirrelatives even if they couldn't through on their cell phones.

[0088] An audio module 248 is shown in FIG. 17 as one suitableimplementation of the audio module 248 of FIG. 2 in accordance with thepreferred embodiments. Audio module 248 includes a Bluetooth interface1710, a processor 1720, a memory 1730 that may contain one or more audiofiles 1732, a display 1740, keys/buttons 1750, and a speaker 1760.Bluetooth interface 1710 preferably includes a transmitter, receiver,identification mechanism, and memory as shown in FIG. 3. Processor 1720is any suitable processor or combination of processors capable ofexecuting software to control its operation, including one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, or embedded processors. Memory 1730may store any useful information for audio module 248, including one ormore audio files 1732.

[0089] Display 1740 is used to display information to the user regardingthe operation of the audio module 248. Keys/buttons 1750 allow userinput to control the function of the audio module 248, such as storingan audio file or playing an audio file 1732 stored in the memory 1730.One suitable implementation for speaker 1760 is an internal speaker thatcan play audio files to the user. Speaker 1760 may also include a jackfor an earphone or headphones. Audio module 248 may also include amicrophone (not shown) that allows the user to record audio informationas a digital audio file. Note that the preferred embodiments define anaudio profile 128 (see FIG. 1) that defines how to use the Bluetoothinterface to exchange audio files.

[0090] One method for using the audio module 248 of FIG. 17 inaccordance with the preferred embodiments is shown as method 1800 inFIG. 18. Method 1800 begins when an audio file needs to be downloaded toa student's audio module (step 1810). If the recipient's audio module ispresent in the system (step 1820=YES), the audio file is routed viaBluetooth to the recipient's audio module (step 1830). If therecipient's audio module is not present in the system (step 1820=NO),the audio file is saved for the recipient (step 1840). Note that therecipient's audio module may not be present in the system because it isout of range of any Bluetooth hub in the system, or it may be turnedoff. Once the audio module 248 is on and within range of a Bluetooth hubin the system, the audio file stored in step 1840 may be played at therequest of the user.

[0091] Another method for using the audio module 248 of FIG. 17 inaccordance with the preferred embodiments is shown as method 1900 inFIG. 19. Method 1900 begins when an audio file needs to transferred froma student's audio module to a teacher (step 1910). The audio file isfirst transferred from the student's audio module to a wireless hub viathe Bluetooth interface (step 1920). The audio file is then transferredand stored in a location where the teacher may access the audio file(step 1930), such as on the server or on a handheld system. Once one ormore audio files are stored for the teacher, the teacher may downloadand access any of these audio files using method 2000 shown in FIG. 20.Method 2000 starts when a teacher needs to retrieve a stored audio file(step 2010). The teacher first specifies which audio file to retrieve(step 2020). The specified audio file is then downloaded to theteacher's system (step 2030). The teacher's system in step 2030 may beany suitable computer system or peripheral, including a computerworkstation, a hand-held computer, and the like. Once the audio file hasbeen downloaded to the teacher's system in step 2030, the teacher maylisten to the audio file, or may transfer the audio file to otherteachers or students.

[0092] A video module 250 is shown in FIG. 21 as one suitableimplementation of the video module 250 of FIG. 2 in accordance with thepreferred embodiments. Video module 250 includes a Bluetooth interface2110, a processor 2120, a memory 2130 that may contain one or more videofiles 2132, a display 2140, keys/buttons 2150, and a speaker 2160.Bluetooth interface 2110 preferably includes a transmitter, receiver,identification mechanism, and memory as shown in FIG. 3. Processor 2120is any suitable processor or combination of processors capable ofexecuting software to control its operation, including one or moremicroprocessors, microcontrollers, or embedded processors. Memory 2130may store any useful information for video module 250, including one ormore video files 2132.

[0093] Display 2140 is used to display information to the user regardingthe operation of the video module 250. Key/buttons 2150 allow user inputto control the function of the video module 250, such as storing a videofile or playing a video file 2132 stored in the memory 2130. Onesuitable implementation for speaker 2160 is an internal speaker that canplay audio files to the user. Speaker 2160 may also include a jack foran earphone or headphones. Note that the preferred embodiments define avideo profile 129 (see FIG. 1) that defines how to use the Bluetoothinterface to exchange video files.

[0094] One method for using the video module 250 of FIG. 21 inaccordance with the preferred embodiments is shown as method 2200 inFIG. 22. Method 2200 begins when a video file needs to be downloaded toa student's video module (step 2210). If the recipient's video module ispresent in the system (step 2220=YES), the video file is routed viaBluetooth to the recipient's video module (step 2230). If therecipient's audio module is not present in the system (step 2220=NO),the video file is saved for the recipient (step 2240). Note that therecipient's video module may not be present in the system because it isout of range of any Bluetooth hub in the system, or it may be turnedoff. Once the video module 250 is on and within range of a Bluetooth hubin the system, the video file stored in step 2240 may be played at therequest of the user.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 23, a system 2300 in accordance with thepreferred embodiments uses an RFID module 240 that has a housing 2310that includes a connector 2312. Each of the remaining modules in FIG.23, namely the pager module 242, the telephone module 244, the voicemailmodule 246, the audio module 248 and the video module 250 include a slot2320 for receiving the housing 2310 of RFID module 240. The slot 2320includes a connector 2322 that mates with connector 2312 on the RFIDmodule 240. This allows the RFID module 240 to contain theidentification mechanism that uniquely identifies the user to thesystem, and each RFID module 240 can then be plugged into a wide arrayof accessories (e.g., modules 242-250) that extend the capability of theRFID module 240. The preferred embodiments expressly extend to thecombination of the RFID module with each of the other modules 242-250.In addition, the function of the modules 242-250 may be combinedaccording to the specific needs of the students and teachers, andaccording to constraints and requirements.

[0096] One specific device that incorporates the function of all of themodules 240-250 described above is shown in FIG. 24 as a student module2400. Note that combining all of the discrete modules 240-250 shown inFIG. 2 into a single module 2400 allows sharing functions betweencomponents. Student module 2400 includes a local wireless interface,which is preferably a Bluetooth interface 310 as shown in FIG. 3.Student module 2400 also includes a processor 2420, a memory 2430, amass storage 2440, a display 2450, keys/buttons 2460, a microphone 2470,a speaker 2480, and a wireless display interface 2490. Note that studentmodule 2400 may also optionally include a user notification mechanismthat may notify the user of certain conditions or events via thedisplay, audio tones, or a vibrator.

[0097] Bluetooth interface 310 preferably includes a transmitter,receiver, identification mechanism, and memory as shown in FIG. 3.Processor 2420 is any suitable processor or combination of processorscapable of executing software to control its operation, including one ormore microprocessors, microcontrollers, or embedded processors. Memory2430 may store any useful information for student module 2400, includingprofiles 2431-2436 that tell the student module 2400 how to communicateinformation to the rest of the system. Student module 2400 contains amass storage 2440 that was not shown in any of the other modules herein.Note, however, that mass storage 2440 is simply a different type ofmemory, and is therefore considered to be an extension of the memoryshown in the other modules. Mass storage 2440 is preferably a miniaturehard disk drive, but could be any other form of storage. Mass storage2440 suitably includes one or more text messages 2442, voicemailmessages 2444, audio files 2446, and video files 2448. Display 2450,keys/buttons 2460, microphone 2470 and speaker 2480 may be used asdescribed above for each of modules 242-250 shown in FIGS. 11, 13, 15,17 and 21. In addition, display 2450, keys/buttons 2460, microphone 2470and speaker 2480 may be used in other ways within the scope of thepreferred embodiments.

[0098] Student module 2400 also includes a wireless display interface2490 that allows displaying information on a wireless display, such as260 shown in FIG. 2. Wireless display interface 2490 may be a dedicatedwireless interface that only communicates with wireless displays, or maybe a more general-purpose interface (such as a Bluetooth interface) thatallows communicating with one or more wireless displays 260. Thewireless display 260 may be used in conjunction with the student module2400 to provide electronic books, to display video information, to allowa student to take a test or quiz, or to complete homeworkelectronically.

[0099] Note that keys/buttons are shown in the figures. Thesekeys/buttons are simply representative of a user input mechanism bywhich the user may control the function of a module. Of course, othermeans for controlling the function of a module may also be used,including a touch screen display, voice recognition, etc. Any suitableuser input mechanism is within the scope of the preferred embodiments.

[0100] Other configurations and combinations are possible within thescope of the preferred embodiments. With the budgetary constraints inmost school systems, providing a student module 2400 is not a viableoption due to the relatively high cost of each student module 2400. Inthis case, we can take advantage of electronic devices that the studentsmay already own to reduce the cost of a student module. For example,many students already carry an MP3 player for playing music. MP3 playerstypically have hard disk drives that sometimes have more capacity thanneeded for songs. In addition, many students carry wireless cell phonesand pagers. Another system contemplated within the scope of thepreferred embodiments takes advantage of the investment the students mayhave already made in devices that are similar to the modules 240-250described herein. Let's assume that a school system allows its studentsto carry MP3 players, cell phones, and pagers as long as they arecompatible with the school's wireless system. One requirement forcompatibility would likely be that each include an RFID module 240. Inthis case, the MP3 players the students carry would be audio modules248, the pagers the students carry would be pager modules 242, and thewireless phones the students carry would be telephone modules 244. Aneducation computer in a classroom could be simply be a display with aprocessor and some memory. The student then plugs their wirelesstelephone or pager into the display and it becomes wireless, and cancommunicate with any of the modules 240-250 described herein. The harddisk drive the student uses for MP3 music in the audio module may now beused as the hard disk drive for the educational computer display. Thetelephone module can provide a digital-to-analog converter and audioamplifier, thereby relieving the education computer from having thesefunctions. The school-authorized peripherals the students purchase andbring to school become part of their educational computers, allowing theschool to provide a an inexpensive display that uses resources that areprovided by peripherals the student purchases and brings to school.

[0101] One of the great advantages of providing a system 200 as shown inFIG. 2 and discussed in detail above is the ability to limit and controlthe function of the various modules in the system. For example, thefunction of many of the modules may be limited during class period, butenabled during breaks between classes. Thus, the transfer of a textmessage, voicemail message, audio file, or video file for a student maybe inhibited during class, but as soon as class is done these featurescould be enabled. In similar fashion, the telephone module of thepreferred embodiments could be automatically disabled during class, andonly enabled during breaks. Let's assume that students are permitted tohave electronic modules at school, as long as they are compatible withthe school's system. When a class session starts, the system couldautomatically disable some functions of various modules. Thus, onestudent talking on his wireless phone may be cut off when the bellrings, another listening to music may have the music stop, yet anothercomposing a text message would have their pager become unresponsive, yetanother listening to a voicemail message would have the message cut offwithout finishing. In short, any or all functions that could distract astudent during class could be disabled during class periods.

[0102] While the wireless world is fast adopting Bluetooth, manyfeatures herein would not have been obvious in light of prior artdevices combined with the knowledge of Bluetooth. For example, sendingpager or voicemail messages via a Bluetooth interface would not havebeen obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. In fact, such pagersand voicemail modules would have limited use because they would notfunction as soon as they are out of range of the Bluetooth system (suchas the school wireless system) to which it is enabled. Having electronicdevices that only work within a small geographic area (such as withinbuildings on a school ground) would not have widespread use and appeal,because their functions are so limited. However, when such devices areprovided at a school as part of the wireless system, the devices operategreat when in the school, but won't operate if taken out of the school.This provides a disincentive for thieves, because the devices areuseless outside of the school. Furthermore, by coupling the wirelessnetwork to the Internet, to land-based phone systems, to wireless phonesystems, and the like, the functions of the wireless devices (such asmodules 240-250) may be greatly enhanced, yet their function can also becontrolled and limited by the system according to the specific systemrequirements. This combination of power and control is not known in theart. The preferred embodiments disclosed herein thus provide a powerfulcombination of wireless modules and functions that are ideally suited toa school environment, yet could also be used in other applicationswithin the scope of the preferred embodiments.

[0103] One skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations arepossible within the scope of the present invention. Thus, while theinvention has been particularly shown and described with reference topreferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that these and other changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer system comprising: a first computersystem coupled to a network; at least one hub coupled to the network forreceiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a pluralityof hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information toand from the first computer system; a plurality of wirelessidentification modules that each comprise: a wireless transmitter thattransmits information to the at least one hub; a wireless receiver thatreceives information from the at least one hub; an identificationmechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification moduleto the first computer system; and a memory coupled to the wirelessreceiver that stores information received by the wireless receiver. 2.The computer system of claim 1 wherein the at least one hub includes atleast one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hubcoupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.
 3. Thecomputer system of claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter, wirelessreceiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions ofa Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.
 4. A computer systemcomprising: (A) a first computer system coupled to a network; (B) atleast one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmittingwireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronicmodules and for transferring the information to and from the firstcomputer system; (C) a wireless pager module comprising: (C1) a wirelessidentification module that comprises: a wireless transmitter thattransmits information to the at least one hub; a wireless receiver thatreceives information from the at least one hub; and an identificationmechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification moduleto the first computer system; (C2) a processor; (C3) a memory coupled tothe processor; (C4) a display coupled to the processor; (C5) a userinput mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function ofthe wireless pager module by a user; (C6) a user alert mechanism thatalerts the user when a message is received via the wireless receiver;(C7) the processor receiving the message from the wireless receiver,writing the message to the memory, alerting the user via the user alertmechanism, and displaying the message on the display.
 5. The computersystem of claim 4 wherein the at least one hub includes at least onestationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupledvia wireless interface to the first computer system.
 6. The computersystem of claim 4 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver,identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions of aBluetooth-compatible wireless interface.
 7. A computer systemcomprising: (A) a first computer system coupled to a network; (B) atleast one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmittingwireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronicmodules and for transferring the information to and from the firstcomputer system; (C) a wireless voicemail module comprising: (C1) awireless identification module that comprises: a wireless transmitterthat transmits information to the at least one hub; a wireless receiverthat receives information from the at least one hub; and anidentification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wirelessidentification module to the first computer system; (C2) a processor;(C3) a memory coupled to the processor; (C4) a display coupled to theprocessor; (C5) a user input mechanism coupled to the processor thatcontrols the function of the wireless voicemail module by a user; (C6) amicrophone coupled to the processor for transmitting the voice of theuser via the wireless transmitter; (C7) a speaker coupled to theprocessor for transmitting the audio signal of a voicemail message tothe user; (C8) a user alert mechanism that alerts the user when avoicemail message is received via the wireless receiver; (C9) theprocessor receiving the voicemail message from the wireless receiver,writing the voicemail message to the memory, alerting the user to thestored voicemail message by activating the user alert mechanism, andplaying the stored voicemail message to the user via the speaker whenthe user requests to listen to the stored voicemail message;
 8. Thecomputer system of claim 7 wherein the at least one hub includes atleast one stationary hub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hubcoupled via wireless interface to the first computer system.
 9. Thecomputer system of claim 7 wherein the wireless transmitter, wirelessreceiver, identification mechanism, and memory each comprise portions ofa Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.
 10. A computer systemcomprising: (A) a first computer system coupled to a network; (B) atleast one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmittingwireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronicmodules and for transferring the information to and from the firstcomputer system; (C) a wireless audio module comprising: (C1) a wirelessidentification module that comprises: a wireless transmitter thattransmits information to the at least one hub; a wireless receiver thatreceives information from the at least one hub; and an identificationmechanism that uniquely identifies each wireless identification moduleto the first computer system; (C2) a processor; (C3) a memory coupled tothe processor; (C4) a display coupled to the processor; (C5) a userinput mechanism coupled to the processor that controls the function ofthe wireless audio module by a user; (C6) a speaker coupled to theprocessor for transmitting the audio signal of an audio file stored inthe memory to the user; (C7) the processor receiving the audio file fromthe wireless receiver, writing the audio file to the memory, and playingthe audio file to the user via the speaker.
 11. The computer system ofclaim 10 wherein the at least one hub includes at least one stationaryhub at a fixed location and at least one mobile hub coupled via wirelessinterface to the first computer system.
 12. The computer system of claim10 wherein the wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identificationmechanism, and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatiblewireless interface.
 13. A computer system comprising: (A) a firstcomputer system coupled to a network; (B) at least one hub coupled tothe network for receiving and transmitting wireless information to andfrom a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and for transferringthe information to and from the first computer system; (C) a wirelessaudio module comprising: (C1) a wireless identification module thatcomprises: a wireless transmitter that transmits information to the atleast one hub; a wireless receiver that receives information from the atleast one hub; and an identification mechanism that uniquely identifieseach wireless identification module to the first computer system; (C2) aprocessor; (C3) a memory coupled to the processor; (C4) a displaycoupled to the processor; (C5) a user input mechanism coupled to theprocessor that controls the function of the wireless video module by auser; (C6) a speaker coupled to the processor; (C7) the processorreceiving a video file from the wireless receiver, writing the videofile to the memory, playing an audio portion of the video file to theuser via the speaker, and displaying a graphic portion of the video fileto the user via the display.
 14. The computer system of claim 13 whereinthe at least one hub includes at least one stationary hub at a fixedlocation and at least one mobile hub coupled via wireless interface tothe first computer system.
 15. The computer system of claim 13 whereinthe wireless transmitter, wireless receiver, identification mechanism,and memory each comprise portions of a Bluetooth-compatible wirelessinterface.
 16. A computer system comprising: (A) a first computer systemcoupled to a network; (B) at least one hub coupled to the network forreceiving and transmitting wireless information to and from a pluralityof hand-held electronic modules and for transferring the information toand from the first computer system; (C) a plurality of wirelessidentification modules that each comprise: a first wireless transmitterthat transmits information to the at least one hub; a first wirelessreceiver that receives information from the at least one hub; a firstidentification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wirelessidentification module to the first computer system; and a memory coupledto the first wireless receiver that stores information received by thefirst wireless receiver; (D) at least one wireless pager module thatcomprises: a second wireless transmitter that transmits information tothe at least one hub; a second wireless receiver that receivesinformation from the at least one hub; a second identification mechanismthat uniquely identifies each wireless pager module to the firstcomputer system; a second processor; a second memory coupled to thesecond processor; a second display coupled to the second processor; asecond user input mechanism coupled to the second processor thatcontrols the function of the wireless pager module by a user; a seconduser alert mechanism that alerts the user when a message is received viathe second wireless receiver; the second processor receiving the messagefrom the second wireless receiver, writing the message to the secondmemory, alerting the user via the second user alert mechanism, anddisplaying the message on the second display; (E) at least one wirelesstelephone module that comprises: a third wireless transmitter thattransmits information to the at least one hub; a third wireless receiverthat receives information from the at least one hub; a thirdidentification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wirelesstelephone module to the first computer system; a third processor; athird memory coupled to the third processor; a third display coupled tothe third processor; a third user input mechanism coupled to the thirdprocessor that controls the function of the wireless telephone module bya user; a third microphone coupled to the third processor fortransmitting the voice of the user via the third wireless transmitter; athird speaker coupled to the third processor for transmitting the audiosignal of a telephone call to the user; the third processor receiving anincoming telephone call via the third wireless receiver, alerting theuser that a call is incoming, and in response to the user activating thethird user input mechanism to take the call, routing the incoming audioportion of the telephone call that arrives on the third wirelessreceiver to the third speaker, and routing the outgoing audio portion ofthe telephone call from the third microphone to the third wirelesstransmitter; (F) at least one wireless voicemail module that comprises:a fourth wireless transmitter that transmits information to the at leastone hub; a fourth wireless receiver that receives information from theat least one hub; a fourth identification mechanism that uniquelyidentifies each wireless voicemail module to the first computer system;a fourth processor; a fourth memory coupled to the fourth processor; afourth display coupled to the fourth processor; a fourth user inputmechanism coupled to the fourth processor that controls the function ofthe wireless voicemail module by a user; a fourth microphone coupled tothe fourth processor for transmitting the voice of the user via thefourth wireless transmitter; a fourth speaker coupled to the fourthprocessor for transmitting the audio signal of a voicemail message tothe user; a fourth user alert mechanism that alerts the user when avoicemail message is received via the fourth wireless receiver; thefourth processor receiving the voicemail message from the fourthwireless receiver, writing the voicemail message to the fourth memory,alerting the user to the stored voicemail message by activating thefourth user alert mechanism, and playing the stored voicemail message tothe user via the fourth speaker when the user requests to listen to thestored voicemail message; (G) at least one wireless audio module thatcomprises: a fifth wireless transmitter that transmits information tothe at least one hub; a fifth wireless receiver that receivesinformation from the at least one hub; a fifth identification mechanismthat uniquely identifies each wireless audio module to the firstcomputer system; a fifth processor; a fifth memory coupled to the fifthprocessor; a fifth display coupled to the fifth processor; a fifth userinput mechanism coupled to the fifth processor that controls thefunction of the wireless audio module by a user; a fifth speaker coupledto the fifth processor for transmitting the audio signal of an audiofile stored in the fifth memory to the user; the fifth processorreceiving the audio file from the fifth wireless receiver, writing theaudio file to the fifth memory, and playing the audio file to the uservia the fifth speaker; (H) at least one wireless video module thatcomprises: a sixth wireless transmitter that transmits information tothe at least one hub; a sixth wireless receiver that receivesinformation from the at least one hub; a sixth identification mechanismthat uniquely identifies each wireless video module to the firstcomputer system; a sixth processor; a sixth memory coupled to the sixthprocessor; a sixth display coupled to the sixth processor; a sixth userinput mechanism coupled to the sixth processor that controls thefunction of the wireless video module by a user; a sixth speaker coupledto the sixth processor; the sixth processor receiving a video file fromthe sixth wireless receiver, writing the video file to the sixth memory,playing an audio portion of the video file to the user via the speaker,and displaying a graphic portion of the video file to the user via thesixth display.
 17. The computer system of claim 16 wherein the firstcomputer system comprises a seventh memory that contains: a wirelessidentification profile that specifies how to exchange data with theplurality of wireless identification modules; a wireless pager profilethat specifies how to exchange data with the at least one wireless pagermodule; a wireless telephone profile that specifies how to exchange datawith the at least one wireless telephone module; a wireless voicemailprofile that specifies how to exchange data with the at least onewireless voicemail module; a wireless audio profile that specifies howto exchange data with the at least one wireless audio module; and awireless video profile that specifies how to exchange data with the atleast one wireless video module.
 18. A computer system comprising: (A) afirst computer system coupled to a network; (B) at least one hub coupledto the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information toand from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and fortransferring the information to and from the first computer system; (C)a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise: awireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;and an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wirelessidentification module to the first computer system; a first memorycoupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information receivedby the first wireless receiver; a first connector; (D) at least onewireless pager module that comprises: a second connector that couples tothe first connector of a wireless identification module; a processor; asecond memory coupled to the processor; a display coupled to theprocessor; a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controlsthe function of the wireless pager module by a user; a user alertmechanism that alerts the user when a message is received; the processorreceiving the message via the wireless receiver in the wirelessidentification module, writing the message to the second memory,alerting the user via the user alert mechanism, and displaying themessage on the display when requested by the user.
 19. The computersystem of claim 18 wherein the first computer system comprises a thirdmemory that contains: a wireless identification profile that specifieshow to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identificationmodules; and a wireless pager profile that specifies how to exchangedata with the at least one wireless pager module.
 20. A computer systemcomprising: (A) a first computer system coupled to a network; (B) atleast one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmittingwireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronicmodules and for transferring the information to and from the firstcomputer system; (C) a plurality of wireless identification modules thateach comprise: a wireless transmitter that transmits information to theat least one hub; a wireless receiver that receives information from theat least one hub; and an identification mechanism that uniquelyidentifies each wireless identification module to the first computersystem; a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver thatstores information received by the first wireless receiver; a firstconnector; (D) at least one wireless telephone module that comprises: asecond connector that couples to the first connector of a wirelessidentification module; a processor; a second memory coupled to theprocessor; a display coupled to the processor; a user input mechanismcoupled to the processor that controls the function of the wirelesstelephone module by a user; a microphone coupled to the processor fortransmitting the voice of the user via the wireless transmitter in thewireless identification module; a speaker coupled to the processor fortransmitting the audio signal of a telephone call to the user; theprocessor receiving an incoming telephone call via the wireless receiverof the wireless identification module, alerting the user that a call isincoming, and in response to the user activating the user inputmechanism to take the call, routing the incoming audio portion of thetelephone call that arrives on the wireless receiver of the wirelessidentification module to the speaker, and routing the outgoing audioportion of the telephone call from the microphone to the wirelesstransmitter of the wireless identification module.
 21. The computersystem of claim 20 wherein the first computer system comprises a thirdmemory that contains: a wireless identification profile that specifieshow to exchange data with the plurality of wireless identificationmodules; and a wireless telephone profile that specifies how to exchangedata with the at least one wireless telephone module.
 22. A computersystem comprising: (A) a first computer system coupled to a network; (B)at least one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmittingwireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronicmodules and for transferring the information to and from the firstcomputer system; (C) a plurality of wireless identification modules thateach comprise: a wireless transmitter that transmits information to theat least one hub; a wireless receiver that receives information from theat least one hub; and an identification mechanism that uniquelyidentifies each wireless identification module to the first computersystem; a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver thatstores information received by the first wireless receiver; a firstconnector; (D) at least one wireless voicemail module that comprises: asecond connector that couples to the first connector of a wirelessidentification module; a processor; a second memory coupled to theprocessor; a display coupled to the processor; a user input mechanismcoupled to the processor that controls the function of the wirelessvoicemail module by a user; a microphone coupled to the processor fortransmitting the voice of the user via the wireless transmitter of thewireless identification module; a speaker coupled to the processor fortransmitting the audio signal of a voicemail message to the user; a useralert mechanism that alerts the user when a voicemail message isreceived via the wireless receiver of the wireless identificationmodule; the processor receiving the voicemail message from the wirelessreceiver of the wireless identification module, writing the voicemailmessage to the second memory, alerting the user to the stored voicemailmessage by activating the user alert mechanism, and playing the storedvoicemail message to the user via the speaker when the user requests tolisten to the stored voicemail message.
 23. The computer system of claim22 wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory thatcontains: a wireless identification profile that specifies how toexchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; anda wireless voicemail profile that specifies how to exchange data withthe at least one wireless voicemail module.
 24. A computer systemcomprising: (A) a first computer system coupled to a network; (B) atleast one hub coupled to the network for receiving and transmittingwireless information to and from a plurality of hand-held electronicmodules and for transferring the information to and from the firstcomputer system; (C) a plurality of wireless identification modules thateach comprise: a wireless transmitter that transmits information to theat least one hub; a wireless receiver that receives information from theat least one hub; and an identification mechanism that uniquelyidentifies each wireless identification module to the first computersystem; a first memory coupled to the first wireless receiver thatstores information received by the first wireless receiver; a firstconnector; (D) at least one wireless audio module that comprises: asecond connector that couples to the first connector of a wirelessidentification module; a processor; a second memory coupled to theprocessor; a display coupled to the processor; a user input mechanismcoupled to the processor that controls the function of the wirelessaudio module by a user; a speaker coupled to the processor fortransmitting the audio signal of an audio file stored in the memory tothe user; the processor receiving the audio file from the wirelessreceiver of the wireless identification module, writing the audio fileto the second memory, and playing the audio file to the user via thespeaker at the user's request.
 25. The computer system of claim 24wherein the first computer system comprises a third memory thatcontains: a wireless identification profile that specifies how toexchange data with the plurality of wireless identification modules; anda wireless audio profile that specifies how to exchange data with the atleast one wireless audio module.
 26. A computer system comprising: (A) afirst computer system coupled to a network; (B) at least one hub coupledto the network for receiving and transmitting wireless information toand from a plurality of hand-held electronic modules and fortransferring the information to and from the first computer system; (C)a plurality of wireless identification modules that each comprise: awireless transmitter that transmits information to the at least one hub;a wireless receiver that receives information from the at least one hub;and an identification mechanism that uniquely identifies each wirelessidentification module to the first computer system; a first memorycoupled to the first wireless receiver that stores information receivedby the first wireless receiver; a first connector; (D) at least onewireless video module that comprises: a second connector that couples tothe first connector of a wireless identification module; a processor; asecond memory coupled to the processor; a display coupled to theprocessor; a user input mechanism coupled to the processor that controlsthe function of the wireless video module by a user; a speaker coupledto the processor; the processor receiving a video file from the wirelessreceiver of the wireless identification module, writing the video fileto the second memory, and, at the user's request, playing an audioportion of the video file to the user via the speaker and displaying agraphic portion of the video file to the user via the display.
 27. Thecomputer system of claim 26 wherein the first computer system comprisesa third memory that contains: a wireless identification profile thatspecifies how to exchange data with the plurality of wirelessidentification modules; and a wireless video profile that specifies howto exchange data with the at least one wireless video module.
 28. Amethod for accounting for students and teachers at a school, the methodcomprising the steps of: (A) providing each student and teacher awireless identification module that comprises: a wireless transmitter; awireless receiver; and an identification mechanism that uniquelyidentifies the wireless identification module; (B) determining at thebeginning of a class period which students and teachers should bepresent in a selected classroom; (C) determining which of the studentsand teachers that should be present in the selected classroom are infact present as indicated by the presence of their wirelessidentification module in the selected classroom; and (D) reporting to acomputer system the attendance records for the class as determined instep (C).
 29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step ofautomatically changing an “absent” in the attendance record to a “tardy”if a student that is not present at the beginning of the class periodlater enters the classroom, as determined by the presence of thestudent's wireless identification module.
 30. A method for accountingfor students and teachers at a school, the method comprising the stepsof: (A) providing each student and teacher a wireless identificationmodule that comprises: a wireless transmitter; a wireless receiver; andan identification mechanism that uniquely identifies the wirelessidentification module; (B) determining at the beginning of each classperiod which students and teachers should be present in a selectedclassroom; (C) determining which of the students and teachers thatshould be present in the selected classroom are in fact present asindicated by the presence of their wireless identification module in theselected classroom; (D) reporting to a computer system the attendancerecords for the selected classroom as determined in step (C); (E)activating a mobile wireless hub when students and teachers in theselected classroom are evacuated and need to be accounted for; (F) themobile wireless hub retrieving from the computer system the attendancerecord for the selected classroom; (G) after evacuating the students andteachers, the mobile wireless hub determines from the wirelessidentification module of each evacuated student and teacher whichstudents and teachers are present and accounted for; (H) comparing thestudents and teachers that are present and accounted for against thelist of students and teachers in the attendance record for the selectedclassroom; and (I) generating a list of missing persons for all studentsand teachers marked present in the attendance record for the selectedclassroom.
 31. The method of claim 30 further comprising the steps of:(J) activating a plurality of wireless hubs to determine whether any ofthe missing persons are within range of any of the wireless hubs; (K) ifany of the missing persons are located in step (J), indicating theirlocation on the mobile wireless hub; (L) for any missing persons notlocated in step (J), indicating on the mobile wireless hub the lastrecorded location of each missing person.
 32. A method for tracking busriders, the method comprising the steps of: (A) providing a mobile dataterminal in view of the driver of the bus, the mobile data terminalincluding a first local wireless interface that includes a receiver withadjustable sensitivity; (B) providing a wireless identification moduleto each authorized rider of the bus, each wireless identification modulecomprising a second local wireless interface that may communicate withthe first local wireless interface in the mobile data terminal; (C) whenthe driver is ready to let riders board the bus, adjusting thesensitivity of the receiver in the mobile data terminal to a low settingthat requires that a wireless identification module come within a firstdistance to communicate with the mobile data terminal; (D) automaticallyestablishing a link between the first local wireless interface in themobile data terminal and the second local wireless interface in awireless identification module when the wireless identification modulecomes within the first distance to the mobile data terminal, such aswhen a rider that is carrying the wireless identification module boardsthe bus, the link allowing the mobile data terminal and the wirelessidentification module to communicate via the first and second localwireless interfaces; (E) the mobile data terminal determining fromidentification information received from the wireless identificationmodule whether the wireless identification module belongs to anauthorized rider of the bus; (F) if any identification informationreceived by the mobile data terminal indicates that the wirelessidentification module that sent the identification information is notauthorized to ride the bus, alerting the driver via the mobile dataterminal; (G) after all riders have boarded the bus, adjusting thesensitivity of the receiver in the mobile data terminal to a highersetting that allows monitoring all riders on the bus.
 33. The method ofclaim 32 further comprising the steps of: (H) the mobile data terminaldynamically generating a bus route comprising a plurality of stops basedon the authorized riders that boarded the bus; (I) the mobile dataterminal determining which riders should get off at each stop; (J) themobile data terminal monitoring which riders get off the bus at eachstop, and notifying the driver if: any rider that gets off at aparticular stop should not get off at that stop; and any rider thatshould get off at a particular stop does not get off.
 34. The method ofclaim 33 wherein the driver indicates to the mobile data terminal whenthe bus stops at each stop.
 35. The method of claim 33 wherein a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver automatically detects when the busstops at each stop.
 36. A method for exchanging information between astudent and a teacher, the method comprising the steps of: (A) providingthe student a wireless identification module that comprises: a wirelesstransmitter; a wireless receiver; an identification mechanism thatuniquely identifies the wireless identification module; and a memorycoupled to the wireless transmitter and to the wireless receiver; (B)automatically transferring from the memory of the wirelessidentification module via the wireless transmitter at least onecommunication from the student, and storing the student communication ina location accessible by the teacher; and (C) automatically transferringat least one communication from the teacher via the wireless receiver tothe memory of the wireless identification module.
 37. The method ofclaim 36 wherein the at least one communication from the studentcomprises at least one student message stored in the memory that thestudent has marked for submission to the teacher.
 38. The method ofclaim 36 wherein the at least one communication from the teachercomprises at least one assignment that the student is assigned tocomplete.
 39. The method of claim 36 wherein step (B) is performed at afirst predetermined time during a class period and step (C) is performedat a second predetermined time during the class period.
 40. The methodof claim 39 wherein the first predetermined time is the beginning of theclass period and the second predetermined time is the end of the classperiod.
 41. A program product comprising: (A) a local wireless interfacemechanism that communicates with wireless devices within a predetermineddistance, the local wireless interface mechanism comprising: a wirelessidentification profile that specifies how to exchange data with at leastone wireless identification module; a wireless pager profile thatspecifies how to exchange data with at least one wireless pager module;and (B) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the localwireless interface mechanism.
 42. The program product of claim 41wherein the computer-readable signal bearing media comprises recordablemedia.
 43. The program product of claim 41 wherein the computer-readablesignal bearing media comprises transmission media.
 44. The programproduct of claim 41 wherein the local wireless interface mechanism is aportion of a Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.
 45. A programproduct comprising: (A) a local wireless interface mechanism thatcommunicates with wireless devices within a predetermined distance, thelocal wireless interface mechanism comprising: a wireless identificationprofile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wirelessidentification module; a wireless voicemail profile that specifies howto exchange data with at least one wireless voicemail module; and (B)computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the local wirelessinterface mechanism.
 46. The program product of claim 45 wherein thecomputer-readable signal bearing media comprises recordable media. 47.The program product of claim 45 wherein the computer-readable signalbearing media comprises transmission media.
 48. The program product ofclaim 45 wherein the local wireless interface mechanism is a portion ofa Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.
 49. A program productcomprising: (A) a local wireless interface mechanism that communicateswith wireless devices within a predetermined distance, the localwireless interface mechanism comprising: a wireless identificationprofile that specifies how to exchange data with at least one wirelessidentification module; a wireless video profile that specifies how toexchange data with at least one wireless video module; and (B)computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the local wirelessinterface mechanism.
 50. The program product of claim 49 wherein thecomputer-readable signal bearing media comprises recordable media. 51.The program product of claim 49 wherein the computer-readable signalbearing media comprises transmission media.
 52. The program product ofclaim 49 wherein the local wireless interface mechanism is a portion ofa Bluetooth-compatible wireless interface.